Nebraska rolls 48-13 at Kansas State; Taylor Martinez runs wild

Fans rediscovered Thursday night why the Nebraska Cornhuskers should be considered the favorites to win the Big 12 title.

Casual observers watching on national television also may have seen another candidate burst into the conversation for the Heisman Trophy.

Speedy redshirt freshman quarterback Taylor Martinez ran for 241 yards on only 15 carries (unofficially) and accounted for five touchdowns through a little more than three quarters as Nebraska won 48-13 at Kansas State.

The seventh-ranked Cornhuskers (5-0, 1-0 in the Big 12) play next at home on Oct. 16 against Texas. Kansas State (4-1, 1-1) never had much of a chance against the visitors from Lincoln, Neb.

Martinez, a Californian, rushed for TDs covering 14, 35, 80 and 41 yards. Playing a little more than three quarters, he also threw a 79-yard TD pass to Kyler Reed.

Some had dismissed the Cornhuskers as a legitimate conference title threat after they played at home two weeks ago and beat lowly South Dakota State only 17-3.

Playing on a game aired by ESPN at Kansas State’s Bill Snyder Family Stadium, they have reasserted themselves in a big way.